The truth is that not all of us can stretch our budget for a pure hot hatch — most of them start at 200 hp and cost well over 30,000 euros — either for the price or the cost of use.
Are there alternatives that are more accessible but still capable of exhilarating?
That's what we were looking for to create this buying guide. We set the bar on 25 thousand euros and "discovered" nine cars, including city dwellers and utilities (segment A and B), capable of rising above the average, both in terms of installments and dynamism, but with much more reasonable costs, whether in terms of taxes payable, insurance, consumption and consumables.
The selection turned out to be quite eclectic — from hurried SUVs to others that perfectly fit the definition of pocket rockets, or small sports cars —, each with distinct attributes for everyday needs, but capable of bringing a more palate “spicy” to the daily routine, whether for a “filled up” engine, for the sharper dynamics, for the increased performance or even for the more striking style.
Time to find out who the nine selected are, organized by price, from the cheapest to the most expensive, which does not mean that it is from the worst to the best.
Kia Picanto GT Line — 16 180 euros
Motor: 1.0 turbo, 3 cylinder, 100 hp at 4500 rpm, 172 Nm between 1500 and 4000 rpm. Streaming: 5 speed manual transmission Weight: 1020 kg. Installments: 10.1s from 0-100 km/h; 180 km/h speed max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.9 l/100 km, 134 g/km CO2.
One Kia Picanto with… spicy. Kia's city dweller opens up hostilities, being the cheapest on our list and also the most modest in power and performance. Not that it's a reason to neglect it, quite the contrary.
Its style is more… peppery, its small dimensions are a blessing in the urban chaos, the 100 hp of its tri-cylinder is more than enough for a hurried driving, and its behavior is both agile and very good. compound — would have no problem handling the 120 hp version of this engine and taking the fight to the next model listed.
Kia also offers this engine in a crossover version, in case you're not tempted by the tougher GT Line.
Volkswagen Up! GTI — 18,156 euros
Motor: 1.0 turbo, 3 cylinder, 115 hp at 5000 rpm, 200 Nm between 2000 and 3500 rpm. Streaming: 6 speed manual transmission. Weight: 1070 kg. Installments: 8.8s from 0-100 km/h; 196 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.6 l/100 km, 128 g/km CO2.The weight of the acronym GTI is felt in Up!. The last Volkswagen citizen to show them off was the Lupo GTI, a small pocket-rocket that was missed a lot. The fears are unfounded — the Volkswagen Up! GTI is, at the moment, one of the most interesting small sports cars on the market.
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Admittedly, the 110 hp of the 1.0 TSI doesn't make it a rocket, but the Up! GTI surprises for its high quality of execution. Effective but not one-dimensional chassis, accompanied by one of the best thousand turbos on the market — linear and unafraid of higher revs. The only regret is the excess of artificial sound that invades the cabin.
Correctly priced, also available with three-door bodywork — something increasingly rare — and visually appealing, full of details that refer to a legacy of more than 40 years, with the first Golf GTI. All in a “package” that proves to be extremely practical for everyday life in the city.
Nissan Micra N-Sport — 19,740 euros
Motor: 1.0 turbo, 3 cylinder, 117 hp at 5250 rpm, 180 Nm at 4000 rpm. Streaming: 6 speed manual transmission. Weight: 1170 kg. Installments: 9.9s from 0-100 km/h; 195 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.9 l/100 km, 133 g/km CO2.
We had a Nissan Juke Nismo, but the “poor” Micra was never given anything of the sort, something that took advantage of its dynamic potential. The restyling received at the beginning of the year brought news in this department, now having a more "focused" variant, the Micro N-Sport.
No, it's not the hot hatch or pocket-rocket we've been waiting for, but it's not just a cosmetic operation either. In addition to the 100 hp 1.0 IG-T debuted in this restyling, the N-Sport was treated to another 1.0 DIG-T of 117 hp — this is not a simple reprogramming. The block holds, but the head is distinct — it gets direct injection, the compression ratio is higher, and it has variable timing of the exhaust and inlet valves.
To keep up with the new mechanics, the chassis was also revised. Ground clearance decreases by 10 mm with revised springs and steering is more direct. The result is a more accurate, direct and agile creature. Without a doubt it deserved more, but for those looking for an SUV with an extra dash of vitality, the Nissan Micra N-Sport could be the answer.
Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost 140 ST-Line — €20,328
Motor: 1.0 turbo, 3 cylinder, 140 hp at 6000 rpm, 180 Nm between 1500 rpm and 5000 rpm. Streaming: 6 speed manual transmission. Weight: 1164 kg. Installments: 9s from 0-100 km/h; 202 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.8 l/100 km, 131 g/km CO2.
There are already several generations of Ford Fiesta hailed as the best chassis in the segment — this one is no different. Join one of the thousand most interesting turbos to explore on the market and it becomes hard not to recommend the little Ford.
We've already been impressed with the Fiesta EcoBoost ST-Line of 125 hp when we tested it, so this 140 hp variant certainly won't be far behind. The extra 15 hp means better performance — 0.9s less at 0-100 km/h, for example — and we still have that chassis that never stops rewarding us with a more committed drive. One of the rare B-segments that still offer a three-door bodywork is the icing on the cake.
Abarth 595 — 22 300 euros
Motor: 1.4 turbo, 4 cylinder, 145 hp at 4500 rpm, 206 Nm at 3000 rpm. Streaming: 5 speed manual transmission Weight: 1120 kg. Installments: 7.8s from 0-100 km/h; 210 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 7.2 l/100 km, 162 g/km CO2.
The term pocket-rocket was created thinking of cars like the Abarth 595 . He is the veteran of the group, but he continues to have strong arguments in his favor. It's not just the retro style that remains as appealing as the day it was released; its 145 hp 1.4 Turbo engine, despite the years, has a character and voice (real) rare to find these days. What's more, it guarantees respectful performances — it's the most powerful (not by much) and the only one in this group to drop from 8.0s in 0 to 100 km/h.
Yes, the price is quite high, being the smallest and tightest of the bunch. The driving position is poor and dynamically there are better proposals in this selection, but when it comes to turning the act of driving into an event, maybe it has no rival — it's not a Biposto, but that's a little monster on its own…
Suzuki Swift Sport — 22 793 euros
Motor: 1.4 turbo, 4 cylinder, 140 hp at 5500 rpm, 230 Nm between 2500 rpm to 3500 rpm. Streaming: 6 speed manual transmission. Weight: 1045 kg. Installments: 8.1s from 0-100 km/h; 210 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 6.0 l/100 km, 135 g/km CO2.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport it's usually classified as a junior hot hatch, but it couldn't be more different in this generation. The loss of the naturally aspirated engine that has fitted it over the past two generations has even made the loss of the three-door bodywork forgotten — fans of the little Swift were not happy with the transition…
Fortunately, the 1.4 Turbo Boosterjet that equips it is a very good engine — linear and rotary — albeit somewhat dumb. Add a light weight (it's bigger, but lighter than the Up! GTI, for example) at 140 hp and an extremely competent chassis, and it impresses us with the rhythms it can practice on a winding road — in real conditions, we doubt that any of the others in this buying guide can keep up with you.
However, we think the Swift Sport has perhaps too matured for its own good. Effective and very fast? No doubt. Fun and captivating? Not as much as in the generations that preceded him.
Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Dynamic — 23,550 euros
Motor: 1.5, 4cyl., 130 hp at 6600 rpm, 155 Nm at 4600 rpm. Streaming: 6 speed manual transmission. Weight: 1020 kg. Installments: 8.7s from 0-100 km/h; 190 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.9 l/100 km, 133 g/km CO2.
The Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Dynamic
what does a Honda Jazz ?! Yes, we have included in this group a small, spacious, versatile and familiar MPV. That's because Honda decided to equip it with the most unlikely of engines, one that reminds the Hondas of yesteryear. It is a four-cylinder, 1.5 l, naturally aspirated and 130 hp at a high and (very) loud 6600 rpm — believe me, this engine makes itself heard…
It would make more sense, from our point of view, to equip it with the Civic's 1.0 Turbo, but let's “work” with what we have. It's the most alien driving experience in this group: a Jazz capable of moving well, accompanied by a very good manual gearbox, but you have to “crush it” — the engine likes rotation, maximum torque only comes at 4600 rpm — something that doesn't make any sense in our head, since we're behind the wheel of a… Jazz.
It's a unique experience, without a doubt. However, it dynamically leaves something to be desired — it is clear that Jazz was not designed for this type of use. But for those who need all the space in the world, this Jazz has no rivals.
Renault Clio TCe 130 EDC RS Line — 23 920 euros
Motor: 1.3 turbo, 4 cylinder, 130 hp at 5000 rpm, 240 Nm at 1600 rpm. Streaming: 7 speed double clutch box. Weight: 1158 kg. Installments: 9s from 0-100 km/h; 200 km/h speed max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.7 l/100 km, 130 g/km CO2.
Fresh novelty. The Clio R.S. Line equipped with the 1.3 TCe of 130 hp fits like sour cherries in this group. Although it doesn't seem like it, the fifth generation of Renault Clio it's 100% new, with a new platform and new engines, with this version being the only one in our selection that doesn't come with a manual gearbox.
However, when we have a version with the letters R.S. we pay attention — has any of the R.S. magic been sprinkled on this R.S. Line? Sorry, but it doesn't seem like it — the R.S. Line changes seem to boil down to cosmetic issues, unlike what we've seen in N-Sport or ST-Line.
Truth be told, we have nothing against the chassis of the new Renault Clio — mature, competent, efficient — but that “spark” that we are looking for in this buying guide for affordable alternatives to hot hatch seems to be missing. The engine, on the other hand, has the necessary lung, but when equipped with the EDC (double clutch) box, it is perhaps the closest thing to being a mini-GT.
Mini Cooper — 24,650 euros
Motor: 1.5 turbo, 3 cyl., 136 hp between 4500 rpm and 6500 rpm, 220 Nm between 1480 rpm and 4100 rpm. Streaming: 6 speed manual transmission. Weight: 1210 kg. Installments: 8s from 0-100 km/h; 210 km/h speed. max. Consumptions and Emissions: 5.8 l/100 km, 131 g/km CO2.
Mini Cooper "60 Years Edition"
Go-kart feeling — that's how the British usually define the Mini's driving, and of course, this one Mini Cooper . This feature of immediacy in their responses is still present, but in this third generation, the Mini by BMW is the biggest and most “bourgeois” ever, having lost some of the fun and interactivity behind the wheel of its predecessors along the way, but on the other hand , is more sophisticated in the way it handles the road.
Like the Abarth 595, retro styling remains one of its main points of interest — with plenty of room for ample customization — but luckily it has more arguments in its favour. The 1.5 l tri-cylindrical is considered the most pleasant of the engines that equip the Mini 3-door — more than the Cooper S — and allows for respectful performances, being among the fastest of the models we present to you.
The Mini Cooper is below the 25,000-euro mark we've set, but we know how nearly impossible it is to get one home for the stated initial price — between allowing customization and ensuring a decent level of equipment, we quickly added thousands of euros to the price. “from…” An exercise in containment, no doubt.